weather WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN - USDA · PDF file4 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin...

Volume 105, No. 16 http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather April 17, 2018

(Continued on page 5)

Contents

Water Supply Forecast for the Western United States ........ 2 Extreme Maximum & Minimum Temperature Maps .................. 4 Temperature Departure Map .................................................... 5 Crop Moisture Maps ................................................................. 6 Palmer Drought Maps ............................................................... 7 April 10 Drought Monitor & Soil Temperature Map ................... 8 National Weather Data for Selected Cities ............................... 9 National Agricultural Summary ............................................... 12 Crop Progress and Condition Tables ...................................... 13 April 12 ENSO Update .......................................................... 18 International Weather and Crop Summary ............................. 19 March International Temperature/Precipitation Maps ....... 31 Bulletin Information & April 12 Satellite Image of Wildfire Smoke ....................... 46

WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN

everal minor weather systems affected the country until late in the week, when a powerful spring storm

emerged from the West and brought extreme conditions to several regions. For example, historic, late-season snow blanketed portions of the northern Plains and upper Midwest, snarling traffic and severely stressing livestock. Cold air remained entrenched from Montana to New England, with weekly temperatures averaging more than 10°F below normal across parts of the northern Plains and upper Midwest. Meanwhile, hot, dry, windy weather

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE National Agricultural Statistics Service and World Agricultural Outlook Board

HIGHLIGHTS April 8 – 14, 2018 Highlights provided by USDA/WAOB

2 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin April 17, 2018

Water Supply Forecast for the Western United States

Highlights La Niña’s strength began to wane in early spring, although lingering impacts may have included ongoing drought in the nation’s southwestern quadrant and generally wet conditions from the Pacific Northwest to the northern Rockies. Late-season storminess in California may have been due to other factors, such as atmospheric blocking, which helped to shift the Pacific storm track southward at times. Cool weather accompanied many of the late-season storms in California, helping to boost high-elevation snowpack closer to normal. Many other areas of the West, excluding the Four Corners region, also benefited due to the cool, showery conditions. The northern tier of the West remained in great shape in terms of both snowpack and water supply.

Snowpack and Precipitation

By April 10, 2018, river basins in Oregon and across the southern half of the West had sub-par snowpack (figure 1). The situation was especially dire in Arizona and New Mexico—mostly less than 25 percent of average. Since late winter, storms and cool conditions have generally boosted snowpack across the middle one-third of the West. Consequently, many basins within that area have a snowpack that has improved to at least 50 to 75 percent of average. Meanwhile, near- to above-normal snowpack covered most of Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming.

SNOTEL – River Basin Snow Water Content Figure 1

SNOTEL – River Basin Precipitation Figure 2

April 17, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 3 Season-to-date precipitation (October 1, 2017 – April 10, 2018) was slightly more impressive than snowpack, in part due to early- and mid-winter warmth limiting accumulation of high-elevation snowpack. Still, precipitation was less than 50 percent of normal in most Southwestern basins (figure 2), and less than 90 percent of normal in all of the West except Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming, and northern Oregon, as well as the Sierra Nevada.

Spring and Summer Streamflow Forecasts

By April 1, 2018, projections for spring and summer streamflow were indicating the likelihood of near- or above-normal runoff in the Pacific Northwest and the northern Rockies (figure 3). In other parts of the Northwest, including much of Oregon, a lack of snow has reduced runoff potential, despite an active weather pattern. Meanwhile, the Southwest has only sporadically received winter precipitation, leading to forecasts of poor spring and summer runoff—less than 25 percent of the normal volume in several river basins.

Reservoir Storage On April 1, 2018, reservoir storage as a percent of average for the date was substantially below average in Arizona and New Mexico (figure 4). Cumulative storage for this time of year was near or above average in all other Western States. In several states, including Utah, reservoir storage continues to reflect bounteous runoff in the spring and summer of 2017.

For More Information The National Water and Climate Center homepage provides the latest available snowpack and water supply information. Please visit: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov

Figure 3 Figure 4

April 17, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 5 (Continued from front cover) contributed to blowing dust and a wildfire outbreak across the drought-ravaged southern High Plains. In western Oklahoma, the three largest wildfires scorched more than 300,000 acres of grass and brush and destroyed at least four dozen structures. By the end of the week, heavy showers and locally severe thunderstorms erupted across the mid-South and began to spread eastward. Through April 14, rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches or more were reported across the lower Mississippi Valley and neighboring areas. In contrast, warm, dry, breezy weather dominated areas from southern California to western Texas, leading to further drought intensification. Weekly temperatures averaged as much as 10°F above normal in Arizona and New Mexico. Elsewhere, unsettled, showery weather affected the Northwest, maintaining favorable winter grain and water-supply forecasts. Precipitation extended as far south as northern California and the central Rockies. As the week began, snow fell across the upper Midwest. In South Dakota, record-breaking snowfall totals for April 8 included 7.0 inches in Watertown and 5.8 inches in Mobridge. Similarly in Iowa, record-setting amounts for the 8th reached 6.8 inches in Mason City and 4.9 inches in Waterloo. A trace of snow fell on April 8 as far south as Paducah, KY, and Raleigh-Durham, NC. Measurable snow fell on April 9, setting records for the date, in locations such as Chicago, IL (2.0 inches), and Lexington, KY (0.8 inch). Meanwhile, heavy showers fell across parts of Florida, where Gainesville netted 5.67 inches in a 24-hour period on April 9-10. The bulk of Gainesville’s rain, 4.95 inches, fell on the 9th. By mid-week, showery weather returned to the Northwest, where daily-record amounts for April 11 included 0.41 inch in Portland, OR, and 0.16 inch in Yakima, WA. As precipitation spread farther inland, Great Falls, MT, received 9.7 inches of snow on April 12-13. Great Falls’ season-to-date snowfall, 104.9 inches, was just over a foot shy of its 1988-89 record of 117.5 inches. Elsewhere in Montana, Billings tied its 2013-14 seasonal snowfall record with 103.5 inches. Across the north-central U.S., a multi-day snow event began to unfold on April 13. In Wisconsin, April 13-16 storm-total snowfall included 24.2 inches in Green Bay and 20.7 inches in Wausau. In both locations, it was the biggest April storm (previously, 11.0 inches in Green Bay on April 4-5, 1977, and 12.1 inches in Wausau on April 15-16, 1993) and the second-highest event total on record. Green Bay’s greatest snowfall occurred on March 1-2, 1888, with 29.0 inches; Wausau’s biggest snowfall, on March 5-6, 1959, was 22.1 inches. Meanwhile in South Dakota, 2-day April snowfall records were broken on April 13-14 in Mitchell (16.2 inches) and Huron (15.5 inches), while peak gusts were clocked to 60 and 57 mph, respectively. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, reported 15.7 inches of snow from April 13-15. Sioux Falls, SD, received 14.5 inches of snow from April 13-15, and reported a gust to 67 mph on the 14th. Most of Sioux Falls’ snow—13.7 inches—fell on the 14th, easily becoming the snowiest April day on record in that location (previously, 10.5 inches on April 28, 1994). Farther south, heavy rain swept eastward, leading to record-setting totals for April 14 in Huntsville, AL (3.77 inches), and Memphis, TN (3.02 inches). Late-week downpours also occurred in the Pacific Northwest, where Hoquiam, WA, received 3.37 inches of rain on April 13-14.

Cold air settled across much of the central and eastern U.S. in early April. By the 8th, Little Rock, AR, tied an April record low of 28°F—previously achieved most recently on April 8, 2007. With a low of 9°F, Green Bay, WI, recorded its latest ever sub-10°F reading. Farther east, Hartford, CT, collected daily-record lows of 23°F on April 9 and 11. Cool weather also lingered in California, where Sacramento registered a daily-record low (37°F) on April 12. At week’s end, another cold blast resulted in daily-record lows for April 14 in Rapid City, SD (13°F), and Garden City, KS (21°F). Garden City added another record low (14°F) on April 15, just 3 days after posting a daily-record high of 94°F. Meanwhile, record-setting heat affected the nation’s southwestern quadrant. In western Texas, record-setting highs for April 8 soared to 97°F in Midland and 93°F in Lubbock. In southern California, daily-record highs for April 9 included 96°F in Long Beach and 95°F in Burbank. Phoenix, AZ, reached 100°F on April 10, tying a daily record. Thermal, CA, measured consecutive daily-record highs (102 and 103°F, respectively) on April 10-11. Similarly, consecutive daily-record highs were set on April 11-12 in Roswell, NM (96 and 94°F), and Borger, TX (95°F both days). Late-week warmth briefly shifted into the East, where West Virginia locations such as Morgantown (85 and 86°F) and Elkins (86 and 85°F) logged consecutive daily-record highs on April 13-14. Mild, dry weather covered the Alaskan mainland, while precipitation fell across the state’s southern tier. Daily-record highs were set in several locations, including Annette Island (59°F on April 10); Sitka (58°F on April 11); and McGrath (54°F on April 12). Kodiak posted a daily-record high of 57°F on April 14, three days after receiving a daily-record rainfall of 1.27 inches. The weekly rainfall in Kodiak totaled 2.89 inches. Farther south, Hawaii experienced a warm week with widespread showers. Kahului, Maui, netted a daily-record rainfall of 2.17 inches on April 18. In many areas, however, rainfall intensity increased as the week progressed. On the Big Island, Hilo’s weekly rainfall totaled 5.03 inches, aided by a 1.73-inch sum on April 14. Some phenomenal rainfall totals were observed on Kauai on April 14-15, when unofficial 24-hour totals reached 18.39 at Wainiha and 13.19 inches on Mt. Waialeale.

April 17, 2018 Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin 7


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The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions. Local conditions may vary. See accompanying text summary for forecast statements.

http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

U.S. Drought Monitor April 10, 2018

Valid 8 a.m. EDT

(Released Thursday, Apr. 12, 2018)

Intensity:D0 Abnormally DryD1 Moderate DroughtD2 Severe DroughtD3 Extreme DroughtD4 Exceptional Drought

Author:David Miskus

Drought Impact Types:

S = Short-Term, typically less than 6 months (e.g. agriculture, grasslands)

L = Long-Term, typically greater than 6 months (e.g. hydrology, ecology)

Delineates dominant impacts

NOAA/NWS/NCEP/CPC


NUMBER OF DAYS

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AL BIRMINGHAM 74 48 81 32 61 1 3.14 2.04 3.14 8.63 102 18.12 100 86 33 0 1 1 1HUNTSVILLE 71 45 82 30 58 -1 3.77 2.70 3.77 8.26 92 18.67 96 89 46 0 1 1 1MOBILE 76 53 80 42 65 0 1.23 0.04 1.23 6.29 65 15.87 77 88 58 0 0 1 1MONTGOMERY 75 49 83 41 62 -1 0.76 -0.29 0.75 4.60 53 13.69 72 93 42 0 0 2 1

AK ANCHORAGE 51 33 53 28 42 8 0.00 -0.11 0.00 0.85 98 4.01 175 74 57 0 3 0 0BARROW 12 -2 17 -12 5 10 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.80 3111 3.57 1082 92 77 0 7 0 0FAIRBANKS 45 24 50 13 35 8 0.00 -0.03 0.00 0.58 171 3.24 257 66 55 0 6 0 0JUNEAU 54 34 58 26 44 5 0.28 -0.37 0.08 2.81 58 10.85 80 93 78 0 1 4 0KODIAK 47 38 57 33 42 6 2.90 1.68 1.30 5.41 71 16.35 76 86 76 0 0 5 2NOME 35 17 41 8 26 10 0.00 -0.14 0.00 3.07 349 4.99 196 78 67 0 7 0 0

AZ FLAGSTAFF 63 31 72 25 47 6 0.00 -0.31 0.00 0.93 28 5.00 62 48 12 0 4 0 0PHOENIX 90 65 100 57 78 10 0.00 -0.07 0.00 0.04 3 0.77 27 22 13 4 0 0 0PRESCOTT 73 41 83 30 57 8 0.00 -0.17 0.00 0.33 14 1.44 25 36 7 0 2 0 0TUCSON 86 57 96 43 72 8 0.00 -0.06 0.00 0.00 0 1.98 70 23 10 3 0 0 0

AR FORT SMITH 70 43 84 31 57 -2 1.17 0.33 1.17 5.50 98 14.76 139 82 41 0 1 1 1LITTLE ROCK 68 42 83 28 55 -5 2.40 1.13 1.52 8.21 111 24.47 171 91 41 0 1 2 2

CA BAKERSFIELD 78 52 94 45 65 4 0.00 -0.13 0.00 2.54 146 3.79 92 69 48 1 0 0 0FRESNO 76 50 86 44 63 4 0.00 -0.22 0.00 4.50 164 5.99 85 79 51 0 0 0 0LOS ANGELES 77 57 83 54 67 7 0.00 -0.19 0.00 2.07 72 3.57 40 76 40 0 0 0 0REDDING 70 45 80 36 57 1 0.18 -0.47 0.16 7.53 114 12.73 68 84 58 0 0 2 0SACRAMENTO 69 45 75 37 57 0 0.05 -0.23 0.05 6.85 197 12.65 117 96 43 0 0 1 0SAN DIEGO 76 59 85 55 67 5 0.00 -0.23 0.00 0.95 34 3.09 43 70 47 0 0 0 0SAN FRANCISCO 66 50 75 46 58 2 0.24 -0.10 0.24 5.45 134 10.69 85 77 57 0 0 1 0STOCKTON 72 46 79 41 59 0 0.03 -0.23 0.03 3.81 132 7.81 97 90 52 0 0 1 0

CO ALAMOSA 60 26 71 17 43 4 0.10 -0.01 0.10 0.25 37 0.56 49 59 21 0 5 1 0CO SPRINGS 63 35 78 27 49 6 0.08 -0.25 0.04 0.76 45 1.32 57 77 18 0 3 3 0DENVER INTL 64 37 79 29 51 7 0.24 0.10 0.11 1.31 112 2.16 133 68 23 0 3 3 0GRAND JUNCTION 65 38 79 28 51 2 0.33 0.14 0.33 1.22 88 2.70 109 59 28 0 1 1 0PUEBLO 72 35 88 28 53 5 0.28 0.00 0.14 0.36 24 1.17 56 72 31 0 2 3 0

CT BRIDGEPORT 53 35 72 26 44 -3 0.05 -0.88 0.05 6.13 101 15.06 119 71 52 0 4 1 0HARTFORD 56 31 73 23 43 -3 0.14 -0.74 0.10 4.33 77 13.32 107 74 47 0 5 2 0

DC WASHINGTON 65 46 86 34 56 2 0.02 -0.59 0.02 1.97 40 7.70 72 67 30 0 0 1 0DE WILMINGTON 59 43 82 30 51 1 0.00 -0.76 0.00 4.87 88 13.56 115 73 36 0 3 0 0FL DAYTONA BEACH 75 60 82 54 67 -1 2.85 2.19 1.30 4.48 85 11.28 101 100 67 0 0 4 3

JACKSONVILLE 75 54 85 47 64 -1 0.61 -0.17 0.61 3.24 58 8.61 69 95 60 0 0 1 1KEY WEST 84 76 86 73 80 4 0.00 -0.47 0.00 2.11 75 3.35 51 85 68 0 0 0 0MIAMI 87 71 91 69 79 4 0.04 -0.73 0.04 1.25 31 2.63 33 88 53 2 0 1 0ORLANDO 82 62 90 56 72 2 1.80 1.19 1.48 2.75 56 5.20 54 95 57 1 0 4 1PENSACOLA 76 57 80 46 67 2 0.97 -0.02 0.97 4.74 55 18.04 97 82 54 0 0 1 1TALLAHASSEE 76 52 84 46 64 -1 1.22 0.31 1.20 8.79 103 14.71 79 94 68 0 0 2 1TAMPA 83 66 88 59 74 4 1.49 1.06 1.44 2.03 54 9.74 112 86 49 0 0 2 1WEST PALM BEACH 84 68 88 59 76 3 3.00 2.15 2.51 3.80 70 8.40 72 87 59 0 0 2 1

GA ATHENS 70 46 83 40 58 -1 0.16 -0.64 0.09 3.54 53 13.95 88 92 59 0 0 2 0ATLANTA 70 49 80 38 60 0 0.10 -0.75 0.10 5.26 73 14.63 87 82 52 0 0 1 0AUGUSTA 72 46 86 39 59 -2 0.05 -0.71 0.05 3.75 60 7.40 50 95 49 0 0 1 0COLUMBUS 76 51 85 42 63 0 0.01 -0.93 0.01 3.38 44 8.84 52 83 37 0 0 1 0MACON 73 47 85 41 60 -1 0.06 -0.72 0.06 2.88 44 8.51 53 95 42 0 0 1 0SAVANNAH 70 48 85 41 59 -5 0.11 -0.72 0.11 1.50 28 4.33 35 93 65 0 0 1 0

HI HILO 81 70 84 66 76 4 4.31 1.11 1.61 16.88 80 46.96 119 92 82 0 0 6 3HONOLULU 83 73 86 73 78 3 0.27 0.01 0.23 3.62 148 7.80 104 77 70 0 0 2 0KAHULUI 82 69 87 64 76 2 0.95 0.49 0.49 4.65 140 10.50 111 96 86 0 0 4 0LIHUE 78 70 81 66 74 0 1.14 0.45 0.44 12.32 246 21.35 166 95 83 0 0 6 0

ID BOISE 60 39 70 33 50 1 0.16 -0.12 0.15 2.47 124 4.39 97 72 45 0 0 2 0LEWISTON 60 44 65 36 52 3 0.20 -0.08 0.13 2.37 143 4.46 119 80 59 0 0 4 0POCATELLO 58 35 69 29 47 3 0.43 0.18 0.35 2.81 148 4.14 102 75 48 0 2 2 0

IL CHICAGO/O'HARE 50 34 73 21 42 -4 1.22 0.35 0.97 3.24 75 9.88 128 84 60 0 3 6 1MOLINE 53 34 75 18 44 -4 0.61 -0.27 0.47 4.43 96 8.97 116 85 61 0 3 4 0PEORIA 58 37 80 23 48 -1 1.30 0.53 0.89 5.39 125 12.05 161 87 53 0 3 4 1ROCKFORD 49 31 70 17 40 -5 0.60 -0.22 0.34 2.16 54 8.11 121 84 62 0 4 5 0SPRINGFIELD 62 41 83 23 51 0 0.87 0.13 0.61 5.76 124 11.07 137 90 49 0 3 2 1

IN EVANSVILLE 63 42 80 27 52 -1 0.97 -0.03 0.94 7.90 126 23.11 188 81 52 0 2 2 1FORT WAYNE 58 35 79 19 47 1 0.76 -0.05 0.71 4.39 99 10.51 125 85 54 0 3 3 1INDIANAPOLIS 60 40 79 24 50 0 0.36 -0.44 0.28 9.05 180 16.90 170 78 44 0 4 3 0SOUTH BEND 55 32 73 14 44 -2 1.36 0.51 1.22 3.96 87 14.17 161 85 58 0 3 4 1

IA BURLINGTON 56 36 77 24 46 -4 0.50 -0.29 0.26 3.75 83 9.34 127 87 55 0 3 3 0CEDAR RAPIDS 51 31 70 15 41 -5 0.27 -0.45 0.16 3.41 94 7.04 122 92 56 0 4 3 0DES MOINES 53 34 69 25 44 -4 1.48 0.69 1.16 4.26 115 7.06 119 78 61 0 4 4 1DUBUQUE 46 28 63 14 37 -8 0.88 0.10 0.47 2.91 71 7.16 106 88 68 0 5 5 0SIOUX CITY 51 30 68 22 41 -6 0.27 -0.32 0.27 2.67 85 5.69 131 88 68 0 4 1 0WATERLOO 46 26 61 13 36 -9 0.95 0.24 0.43 3.78 108 8.27 153 97 78 0 5 5 0

KS CONCORDIA 65 34 85 24 50 -1 0.13 -0.37 0.11 1.03 31 2.02 43 75 53 0 4 2 0DODGE CITY 71 34 96 23 53 1 0.17 -0.33 0.15 1.28 46 1.43 35 74 29 1 3 2 0GOODLAND 64 33 82 20 48 1 0.30 0.04 0.14 0.79 46 2.08 81 78 48 0 2 3 0TOPEKA 65 36 84 26 51 -1 0.10 -0.57 0.05 1.44 37 3.19 53 85 57 0 4 2 0

Based on 1971-2000 normals *** Not Available

TEMP. ˚F

National Weather Data for Selected CitiesWeather Data for the Week Ending April 14, 2018

Data Provided by Climate Prediction Center

PRECIPSTATES

AND STATIONS

RELATIVE HUMIDITY PERCENT

TEMPERATURE ˚F PRECIPITATION


NUMBER OF DAYS

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WICHITA 67 38 87 25 52 -1 0.07 -0.49 0.04 1.25 32 1.73 30 77 48 0 2 2 0

KY JACKSON 66 42 83 25 54 -1 0.05 -0.78 0.05 9.34 154 19.46 146 75 33 0 2 1 0LEXINGTON 63 42 81 26 53 0 0.52 -0.29 0.41 7.17 118 19.38 153 76 44 0 2 2 0LOUISVILLE 66 46 83 31 56 2 0.44 -0.41 0.39 6.73 109 19.33 152 72 35 0 1 2 0PADUCAH 65 43 82 30 54 -1 1.00 -0.10 0.99 5.93 93 19.48 141 73 48 0 2 2 1

LA BATON ROUGE 74 51 82 42 63 -2 2.04 0.76 2.04 9.89 130 21.08 112 91 52 0 0 1 1LAKE CHARLES 73 52 82 44 63 -3 0.29 -0.48 0.29 4.60 90 17.19 124 93 57 0 0 1 0NEW ORLEANS 74 57 82 50 65 -2 4.00 2.77 3.98 8.45 110 16.09 84 91 65 0 0 2 1SHREVEPORT 72 48 83 35 60 -3 1.51 0.53 1.08 10.17 167 21.71 146 96 46 0 0 2 1

ME CARIBOU 40 19 48 9 29 -6 0.14 -0.44 0.08 4.02 108 11.52 132 73 35 0 6 2 0PORTLAND 47 29 62 25 38 -3 0.23 -0.78 0.23 4.55 74 12.18 91 87 40 0 6 1 0

MD BALTIMORE 65 42 87 31 53 2 0.01 -0.66 0.01 2.76 52 10.06 85 64 35 0 2 1 0MA BOSTON 50 35 69 30 43 -3 0.06 -0.81 0.06 6.13 109 14.90 116 80 51 0 3 1 0

WORCESTER 49 30 65 23 40 -2 0.09 -0.82 0.07 6.36 104 14.85 112 78 37 0 5 2 0MI ALPENA 38 21 45 13 29 -8 3.50 2.98 2.71 6.07 191 9.96 158 94 63 0 7 4 2

GRAND RAPIDS 47 30 64 16 39 -5 1.23 0.43 0.85 3.98 96 12.31 159 88 55 0 4 5 1HOUGHTON LAKE 39 23 52 3 31 -8 2.00 1.46 1.21 4.01 129 8.36 140 84 70 0 7 3 2LANSING 47 30 58 16 39 -4 1.39 0.65 1.15 4.42 117 11.18 163 91 63 0 4 4 1MUSKEGON 44 30 55 14 37 -5 1.14 0.48 0.56 3.78 103 10.72 144 79 64 0 4 5 1TRAVERSE CITY 41 26 49 8 33 -7 1.77 1.11 0.89 4.30 132 8.83 110 89 50 0 5 3 2

MN DULUTH 37 20 47 2 29 -7 0.25 -0.22 0.21 0.83 32 3.69 81 74 47 0 7 3 0INT'L FALLS 36 13 42 -3 24 -12 0.01 -0.29 0.01 0.39 25 2.08 69 78 36 0 7 1 0MINNEAPOLIS 40 26 52 16 33 -10 1.23 0.71 0.79 3.99 137 6.87 145 91 68 0 7 4 1ROCHESTER 39 24 54 9 31 -11 1.87 1.20 1.26 3.50 111 6.80 140 96 72 0 7 4 1ST. CLOUD 37 22 45 3 30 -10 0.53 0.03 0.28 3.31 133 4.89 128 96 55 0 7 4 0

MS JACKSON 74 47 83 35 61 -1 1.71 0.30 1.71 14.15 165 27.76 148 90 43 0 0 1 1MERIDIAN 76 48 84 36 62 0 3.02 1.68 3.02 10.25 106 22.19 106 86 45 0 0 1 1TUPELO 71 44 82 29 58 -1 2.43 1.29 2.43 8.57 99 24.92 135 79 45 0 1 1 1

MO COLUMBIA 64 43 87 29 54 2 0.27 -0.62 0.22 5.05 102 10.26 116 80 44 0 2 2 0KANSAS CITY 63 38 83 26 50 -2 0.28 -0.37 0.13 3.23 88 5.68 93 84 50 0 4 3 0SAINT LOUIS 64 44 85 29 54 0 1.24 0.41 0.95 9.28 177 15.76 163 77 51 0 1 3 1SPRINGFIELD 66 41 86 28 53 -1 0.57 -0.44 0.53 4.51 77 14.04 138 76 55 0 3 2 1

MT BILLINGS 54 32 63 26 43 -1 0.54 0.19 0.42 2.49 140 6.35 201 91 46 0 4 3 0BUTTE 48 29 53 25 39 2 0.28 0.09 0.21 1.15 94 2.47 111 82 38 0 6 2 0CUT BANK 44 25 53 11 35 -4 0.13 -0.03 0.13 1.17 138 1.67 110 92 56 0 5 1 0GLASGOW 42 27 54 22 35 -7 0.29 0.16 0.29 2.17 306 3.62 274 87 70 0 5 1 0GREAT FALLS 50 27 58 13 39 -2 0.78 0.51 0.71 2.66 174 4.64 171 88 46 0 5 2 1HAVRE 41 26 51 20 34 -8 0.19 0.04 0.18 1.54 156 3.78 208 93 82 0 7 2 0MISSOULA 52 34 57 27 43 -1 0.50 0.29 0.29 2.01 148 4.83 151 85 63 0 2 5 0

NE GRAND ISLAND 57 31 79 23 44 -3 0.31 -0.23 0.22 1.86 60 4.19 97 80 59 0 5 3 0LINCOLN 62 32 82 21 47 -2 0.05 -0.55 0.05 2.85 84 5.17 110 82 53 0 4 1 0NORFOLK 54 28 79 22 41 -6 0.32 -0.23 0.20 2.13 70 4.55 104 93 65 0 5 2 0NORTH PLATTE 61 29 85 17 45 -1 0.18 -0.19 0.18 1.41 73 4.00 141 80 41 0 5 1 0OMAHA 57 34 74 26 46 -3 0.07 -0.52 0.07 2.92 89 5.36 111 82 59 0 3 1 0SCOTTSBLUFF 61 32 79 24 47 3 0.75 0.39 0.42 2.98 162 3.86 130 91 52 0 4 3 0VALENTINE 56 27 85 11 42 -1 0.34 -0.03 0.27 2.74 153 4.61 179 85 57 0 5 4 0

NV ELY 62 26 71 19 44 3 0.00 -0.18 0.00 1.71 120 3.01 103 68 34 0 6 0 0LAS VEGAS 82 60 91 53 71 7 0.00 -0.02 0.00 0.26 39 1.74 90 20 12 2 0 0 0RENO 66 38 73 29 52 5 0.03 -0.03 0.02 2.74 269 3.61 115 59 27 0 2 2 0WINNEMUCCA 63 33 74 25 48 3 0.00 -0.18 0.00 3.10 252 4.18 156 78 34 0 4 0 0

NH CONCORD 50 28 60 20 39 -3 0.16 -0.53 0.14 3.50 79 10.38 106 85 37 0 6 2 0NJ NEWARK 62 39 84 31 50 0 0.00 -0.88 0.00 5.80 97 13.90 107 58 35 0 3 0 0NM ALBUQUERQUE 72 45 83 35 58 4 0.00 -0.11 0.00 0.18 22 0.72 41 38 12 0 0 0 0NY ALBANY 49 27 63 19 38 -6 0.10 -0.67 0.10 4.16 90 10.23 110 74 38 0 6 1 0

BINGHAMTON 48 28 71 18 38 -3 0.14 -0.66 0.06 4.79 106 10.99 115 83 59 0 5 4 0BUFFALO 44 29 59 24 37 -6 0.59 -0.13 0.37 4.58 104 11.92 119 90 58 0 6 4 0ROCHESTER 45 29 61 22 37 -6 0.14 -0.51 0.05 4.00 103 9.26 112 90 64 0 6 4 0SYRACUSE 45 28 58 19 36 -7 0.23 -0.54 0.15 4.55 100 10.72 116 94 60 0 5 4 0

NC ASHEVILLE 65 42 77 31 53 1 0.01 -0.81 0.01 3.51 56 13.12 92 80 42 0 1 1 0CHARLOTTE 69 48 82 35 58 -1 0.01 -0.69 0.01 4.62 78 10.22 76 87 37 0 0 1 0GREENSBORO 67 45 81 31 56 0 0.00 -0.77 0.00 5.35 99 11.56 96 81 38 0 1 0 0HATTERAS 62 47 74 37 54 -4 0.45 -0.36 0.21 6.58 98 16.83 102 95 61 0 0 3 0RALEIGH 67 43 81 32 55 -2 0.00 -0.63 0.00 5.79 108 11.41 89 85 48 0 1 0 0WILMINGTON 65 45 79 37 55 -6 0.72 0.07 0.45 4.89 87 14.14 102 96 49 0 0 3 0

ND BISMARCK 38 24 52 17 31 -9 0.22 -0.07 0.15 2.24 161 2.99 127 90 69 0 7 3 0DICKINSON 38 18 57 8 28 -12 0.42 0.04 0.19 1.55 112 1.83 84 96 63 0 7 4 0FARGO 36 24 42 8 30 -10 0.12 -0.16 0.06 2.91 169 4.43 144 87 58 0 6 3 0GRAND FORKS 34 20 39 7 27 -11 0.11 -0.14 0.06 2.18 159 3.73 142 93 55 0 7 2 0JAMESTOWN 33 22 43 12 28 -11 0.00 -0.28 0.00 1.74 123 2.37 93 90 67 0 7 0 0WILLISTON 38 22 52 9 30 -9 0.10 -0.10 0.10 1.88 166 2.45 119 86 62 0 7 1 0

OH AKRON-CANTON 59 36 83 22 48 2 0.07 -0.67 0.04 6.76 147 14.91 159 66 45 0 4 3 0CINCINNATI 60 41 80 25 51 -1 0.55 -0.36 0.46 6.14 107 17.15 151 82 44 0 4 2 0CLEVELAND 55 33 81 24 44 -1 0.35 -0.42 0.26 6.71 150 12.74 138 81 46 0 3 4 0COLUMBUS 61 40 82 25 50 0 0.18 -0.54 0.16 6.27 146 13.91 154 69 45 0 4 2 0DAYTON 59 38 80 21 48 0 0.49 -0.44 0.42 8.13 159 17.44 175 79 44 0 4 2 0MANSFIELD 57 35 79 21 46 1 0.17 -0.79 0.14 5.65 108 13.80 137 82 41 0 4 3 0


TEMP. ˚F PRECIPSTATES

AND STATIONS


Weather Data for the Week Ending April 14, 2018



NUMBER OF DAYS

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INC

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TOLEDO 54 33 75 20 43 -3 0.76 -0.01 0.63 4.49 109 9.48 120 88 52 0 3 3 1YOUNGSTOWN 56 33 80 20 45 0 0.17 -0.60 0.09 6.47 141 15.48 173 79 49 0 3 4 0

OK OKLAHOMA CITY 70 41 87 30 55 -3 0.01 -0.58 0.01 0.67 16 3.50 51 74 32 0 3 1 0TULSA 69 44 83 30 56 -3 0.00 -0.81 0.00 3.47 67 8.55 98 72 53 0 2 0 0

OR ASTORIA 55 44 66 40 50 2 5.28 4.00 1.55 12.17 121 30.78 112 91 82 0 0 6 4BURNS 55 29 62 17 42 1 0.12 -0.07 0.07 1.36 83 3.21 82 86 52 0 5 3 0EUGENE 56 42 62 37 49 0 0.86 -0.07 0.34 6.08 78 13.63 63 97 84 0 0 4 0MEDFORD 61 41 74 37 51 1 0.03 -0.27 0.01 2.14 86 4.79 68 81 46 0 0 3 0PENDLETON 60 41 66 35 51 1 0.48 0.23 0.25 2.34 133 4.67 105 78 53 0 0 4 0PORTLAND 59 46 66 42 53 3 1.07 0.44 0.53 5.25 105 12.47 87 86 69 0 0 6 1SALEM 58 45 66 40 52 3 2.14 1.47 1.05 7.14 128 16.68 101 85 69 0 0 5 1

PA ALLENTOWN 62 34 87 24 48 1 0.04 -0.73 0.04 5.10 100 14.32 126 68 42 0 4 1 0ERIE 48 32 74 25 40 -4 0.28 -0.53 0.12 6.27 132 12.69 133 79 57 0 5 3 0MIDDLETOWN 63 38 85 25 50 1 0.03 -0.66 0.02 3.93 84 13.37 128 78 29 0 4 2 0PHILADELPHIA 62 39 84 29 51 0 0.00 -0.78 0.00 5.42 100 14.89 128 62 35 0 3 0 0PITTSBURGH 59 39 83 24 49 1 0.09 -0.59 0.08 5.99 132 18.31 190 74 35 0 3 2 0WILKES-BARRE 57 34 82 21 45 -1 0.05 -0.68 0.03 4.71 114 11.72 135 79 36 0 4 3 0WILLIAMSPORT 60 33 85 22 46 0 0.03 -0.77 0.03 3.57 74 11.36 111 78 46 0 4 1 0

RI PROVIDENCE 53 33 65 27 43 -3 0.02 -0.99 0.02 7.62 117 19.56 137 80 50 0 4 1 0SC BEAUFORT 69 49 81 43 59 -4 0.09 -0.70 0.04 2.98 56 5.77 46 99 57 0 0 3 0

CHARLESTON 69 48 84 42 59 -4 0.20 -0.50 0.16 2.92 53 7.09 56 95 52 0 0 2 0COLUMBIA 71 49 85 41 60 -1 0.07 -0.71 0.07 3.30 53 7.53 51 92 48 0 0 1 0GREENVILLE 69 46 82 38 58 1 0.04 -0.77 0.04 4.08 58 12.35 79 89 37 0 0 1 0

SD ABERDEEN 39 26 50 20 32 -10 0.41 0.00 0.36 2.80 131 3.87 125 87 68 0 7 2 0HURON 42 26 57 24 34 -9 0.72 0.22 0.30 3.17 120 4.81 130 94 65 0 7 3 0RAPID CITY 51 27 74 13 39 -3 1.03 0.66 0.86 2.70 158 3.86 152 91 52 0 5 3 1SIOUX FALLS 45 28 60 22 37 -6 1.20 0.62 0.65 4.46 152 6.60 167 90 70 0 7 3 1

TN BRISTOL 65 36 82 25 51 -2 0.03 -0.66 0.03 5.58 104 14.31 117 95 38 0 3 1 0CHATTANOOGA 71 44 81 34 58 0 0.92 -0.10 0.91 4.68 56 15.54 83 82 38 0 0 2 1KNOXVILLE 68 43 81 31 56 0 0.23 -0.68 0.15 6.80 96 16.62 106 83 39 0 1 2 0MEMPHIS 68 45 80 30 57 -3 3.02 1.67 3.02 8.21 100 25.66 153 78 40 0 1 1 1NASHVILLE 68 45 82 30 57 0 1.07 0.20 1.07 7.18 107 20.02 140 73 36 0 1 1 1

TX ABILENE 78 46 94 32 62 -1 0.00 -0.35 0.00 1.47 71 3.88 93 76 46 1 1 0 0AMARILLO 77 38 93 31 58 4 0.00 -0.28 0.00 0.24 14 0.25 9 68 19 2 2 0 0AUSTIN 76 49 86 41 63 -4 0.10 -0.35 0.10 6.43 214 7.75 112 76 53 0 0 1 0BEAUMONT 73 53 82 44 63 -4 1.03 0.18 1.01 3.38 62 17.31 119 89 65 0 0 2 1BROWNSVILLE 83 63 90 51 73 1 0.25 -0.10 0.22 1.25 77 3.48 84 93 74 1 0 2 0CORPUS CHRISTI 79 58 90 44 68 -2 0.09 -0.32 0.04 2.11 84 3.84 64 92 57 1 0 3 0DEL RIO 84 56 98 43 70 1 0.00 -0.33 0.00 0.14 9 0.33 11 72 43 2 0 0 0EL PASO 84 59 94 49 71 8 0.00 -0.03 0.00 0.21 66 0.98 84 28 10 2 0 0 0FORT WORTH 73 49 88 35 61 -2 0.01 -0.61 0.01 3.11 73 15.27 179 78 39 0 0 1 0GALVESTON 73 60 81 49 67 -2 0.10 -0.47 0.08 1.69 43 5.85 55 95 66 0 0 2 0HOUSTON 75 54 84 45 64 -3 0.48 -0.32 0.45 3.75 76 12.54 108 92 67 0 0 2 0LUBBOCK 81 43 95 32 62 4 0.00 -0.25 0.00 0.87 71 1.07 44 60 36 3 1 0 0MIDLAND 84 48 98 39 66 4 0.00 -0.09 0.00 0.11 19 0.16 10 64 42 3 0 0 0SAN ANGELO 83 48 98 38 66 3 0.00 -0.28 0.00 1.20 81 2.57 74 73 42 3 0 0 0SAN ANTONIO 77 54 87 43 66 -1 0.00 -0.50 0.00 4.03 142 6.22 100 79 44 0 0 0 0VICTORIA 76 54 85 43 65 -3 0.72 0.13 0.68 2.70 80 4.88 62 91 66 0 0 2 1WACO 72 49 84 36 61 -3 0.16 -0.41 0.16 2.77 78 5.19 66 80 55 0 0 1 0WICHITA FALLS 76 43 94 30 59 -2 0.00 -0.56 0.00 2.79 83 5.65 93 74 52 2 1 0 0

UT SALT LAKE CITY 63 42 72 36 52 4 0.56 0.12 0.52 3.50 127 5.37 98 68 33 0 0 3 1VT BURLINGTON 45 28 52 22 37 -4 1.06 0.42 0.59 4.20 118 8.38 112 81 41 0 5 4 1VA LYNCHBURG 65 38 82 27 52 -1 0.04 -0.73 0.04 3.30 61 11.96 99 79 30 0 3 1 0

NORFOLK 65 47 83 38 56 1 0.05 -0.73 0.05 4.56 80 9.80 76 78 41 0 0 1 0RICHMOND 67 43 84 33 55 0 0.10 -0.62 0.10 2.74 49 8.59 71 81 42 0 0 1 0ROANOKE 66 41 82 29 53 -1 0.02 -0.78 0.02 3.60 66 10.92 93 72 39 0 1 1 0WASH/DULLES 65 42 86 29 53 2 0.00 -0.72 0.00 2.24 45 8.73 81 67 37 0 1 0 0

WA OLYMPIA 55 41 63 37 48 2 4.06 3.14 1.97 8.39 116 21.89 105 94 78 0 0 7 3QUILLAYUTE 52 42 59 37 47 1 5.04 3.19 2.36 15.37 104 46.75 114 96 80 0 0 7 3SEATTLE-TACOMA 55 44 62 41 50 1 3.10 2.44 1.68 6.90 134 17.18 119 90 72 0 0 6 2SPOKANE 52 38 56 32 45 0 0.59 0.31 0.31 2.80 134 6.95 128 90 62 0 1 4 0YAKIMA 63 39 70 32 51 4 0.16 0.04 0.15 1.02 106 2.11 72 72 48 0 1 2 0

WV BECKLEY 61 38 83 21 50 1 0.27 -0.46 0.27 5.66 111 15.06 133 68 41 0 4 1 0CHARLESTON 66 39 88 24 52 0 0.21 -0.51 0.21 6.14 114 17.26 146 85 32 0 3 1 0ELKINS 62 33 86 20 47 0 0.05 -0.72 0.05 5.70 104 16.15 133 79 42 0 5 1 0HUNTINGTON 65 43 86 23 54 1 0.12 -0.60 0.12 5.81 109 17.05 147 71 32 0 2 1 0

WI EAU CLAIRE 40 23 50 4 31 -11 0.28 -0.37 0.18 1.48 48 4.44 90 90 50 0 6 2 0GREEN BAY 40 25 50 9 33 -8 1.60 0.99 0.98 3.38 104 6.18 113 83 58 0 6 4 1LA CROSSE 45 29 59 17 37 -8 1.87 1.10 1.20 3.47 100 6.37 113 87 48 0 5 4 2MADISON 44 28 59 14 36 -7 0.90 0.12 0.59 2.22 59 7.25 115 90 65 0 4 4 1MILWAUKEE 45 32 63 23 39 -4 1.21 0.31 0.72 2.72 63 7.54 96 83 61 0 4 5 1

WY CASPER 58 29 69 19 43 2 0.11 -0.16 0.11 2.09 150 3.39 130 89 44 0 5 1 0CHEYENNE 58 32 73 24 45 5 0.10 -0.19 0.08 2.42 150 3.43 137 81 40 0 4 2 0LANDER 57 31 68 23 44 2 0.01 -0.41 0.01 1.65 81 3.57 116 73 26 0 5 1 0SHERIDAN 56 30 64 21 43 1 0.09 -0.27 0.09 3.04 181 6.50 215 82 57 0 5 1 0


Weather Data for the Week Ending April 14, 2018

STATES AND

STATIONS

TEMP. ˚F PRECIP




National Agricultural Summary April 9 – 15, 2018

Weekly National Agricultural Summary provided by USDA/NASS

HIGHLIGHTS

Snow fell across much of the northern Plains, while moisture from the Gulf of Mexico brought rain to the Southeast. Some rain fell in drought-stricken northern Texas and Oklahoma’s Panhandle, but amounts were less than one-half inch. Temperatures during the

week where below average for much of the nation, but many of the Eastern States had a taste of spring. Temperatures were above average in the southwestern corner of the country, averaging at least 6°F above normal in parts of Arizona, California, and Nevada.

Corn: By April 15, producers had planted 3 percent of the nation’s corn crop, 3 percentage points behind last year and 2 points behind the 5-year average. All states were at or behind their 5-year average except Texas, which had planted 60 percent, 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Winter Wheat: By April 15, nine percent of the nation’s winter wheat had headed, 9 percentage points behind last year and 1 point behind the 5-year average. On April 15, thirty-one percent of the 2018 winter wheat crop was reported in good to excellent condition, an increase of 1 percentage point from the previous week, but 23 percentage points below last year. In Kansas, the largest winter wheat-producing state, 12 percent of the winter wheat was rated in good to excellent condition, down 1 percentage point from the previous week. In Texas, where the northern portion of the state has been in a winter-long drought, 13 percent of the winter wheat was rated good to excellent, a decrease of 1 percentage point from the previous week. Cotton: Nationwide, 8 percent of the cotton crop had been planted by week’s end, equal to last year but 1 percentage point ahead of the 5-year average. Progress was ahead of normal in Texas, with 13 percent of the acreage planted, compared to the 5-year average of 10 percent. Sorghum: Twenty percent of the nation’s sorghum crop was planted by April 15, 1 percentage point behind the previous year but equal to the 5-year average. Texas had planted 64 percent of its intended sorghum acreage by week’s end, 7 percentage points ahead of last year and 13 points ahead of the 5-year average. Rice: By week’s end, producers had seeded 32 percent of

the 2018 rice crop, 20 percentage points behind the previous year and 3 points behind the 5-year average. Louisiana and Texas had the largest percentage of acreage planted, with 87 and 70 percent planted, respectively. By April 15, fifteen percent of the nation’s rice acreage had emerged, 8 percentage points behind last year but equal to the 5-year average. Small Grains: Nationally, oat producers had seeded 29 percent of this year’s crop by April 15, fourteen percentage points behind the previous year and 15 points behind the 5-year average. Oat planting progress was behind the 5-year average in all estimating states except Texas, which had already completed seeding by the beginning of April. Twenty-six percent of the nation’s oat crop had emerged by April 15, three percentage points behind the previous year and 4 points behind the 5-year average. Seven percent of the nation’s barley was planted by week’s end, 5 percentage points behind last year and 16 points behind the 5-year average. Planting progress was behind the average pace in all estimating states. Washington was the furthest behind, with only 10 percent planted by week’s end, compared to the 5-year average of 35 percent. By April 15, three percent of the spring wheat crop was seeded, 9 percentage points behind last year and 12 points behind the 5-year average. Spring wheat planting progress was behind the 5-year average pace in all six estimating states, and planting had not yet begun in most of the northern Plains. Other Crops: By week’s end, 9 percent of the sugarbeet crop was planted, 8 percentage points behind last year and 11 points behind the 5-year average.


Crop Progress and Condition Week Ending April 15, 2018

Weekly U.S. Progress and Condition Data provided by USDA/NASS

Prev Prev Apr 15 5-Yr Prev Prev Apr 15 5-Yr Prev Prev Apr 15 5-Yr

Year Week 2018 Avg Year Week 2018 Avg Year Week 2018 Avg

CO 1 0 0 0 AL 0 0 1 1 AR 27 0 1 15

IL 5 0 0 5 AZ 39 25 37 41 CO 0 0 0 0

IN 3 0 0 1 AR 3 0 0 1 IL 0 0 0 0

IA 2 0 0 3 CA 23 0 0 41 KS 0 0 0 0

KS 8 2 6 15 GA 2 0 1 1 LA 47 15 35 49

KY 17 0 3 10 KS 0 0 0 0 MO 7 0 0 2

MI 0 0 0 0 LA 16 0 0 3 NE 0 0 0 0

MN 1 0 0 3 MS 5 0 0 2 NM 0 0 1 0

MO 15 1 4 18 MO 4 0 0 1 OK 9 1 5 5

NE 3 0 1 2 NC 0 0 0 1 SD 0 0 0 0

NC 29 13 30 32 OK 0 0 0 1 TX 57 55 64 51

ND 0 0 0 0 SC 0 0 0 2 11 Sts 21 17 20 20

OH 0 0 0 0 TN 0 0 0 0 These 11 States planted 99%

PA 2 0 0 1 TX 11 12 13 10 of last year's sorghum acreage.

SD 0 0 0 1 VA 0 0 0 0

TN 22 2 11 16 15 Sts 8 7 8 7

TX 60 58 60 54 These 15 States planted 99% Prev Prev Apr 15 5-Yr

WI 0 0 0 0 of last year's cotton acreage. Year Week 2018 Avg

18 Sts 6 2 3 5 AR 61 10 27 33

These 18 States planted 92% CA 0 0 0 2

of last year's corn acreage. LA 80 76 87 76

MS 45 8 18 26

MO 33 0 11 20

Prev Prev Apr 15 5-Yr Prev Prev Apr 15 5-Yr TX 63 65 70 69

Year Week 2018 Avg Year Week 2018 Avg 6 Sts 52 21 32 35

IA 38 4 12 43 IA 9 0 1 7 These 6 States planted 100%

MN 16 0 0 17 MN 0 0 0 1 of last year's rice acreage.

NE 65 18 35 61 NE 23 2 4 17

ND 2 0 0 5 ND 0 0 0 0

OH 19 1 8 16 OH 10 0 0 6 Prev Prev Apr 15 5-Yr

PA 25 0 3 24 PA 2 0 0 5 Year Week 2018 Avg

SD 44 0 1 36 SD 9 0 0 5 AR 21 1 3 8

TX 100 100 100 100 TX 100 100 100 100 CA 0 0 0 0

WI 11 1 2 8 WI 2 0 0 1 LA 65 50 66 53

9 Sts 43 27 29 44 9 Sts 29 25 26 30 MS 17 4 5 9

These 9 States planted 67% These 9 States planted 67% MO 0 0 0 1

of last year's oat acreage. of last year's oat acreage. TX 46 44 55 45

6 Sts 23 11 15 15

These 6 States planted 100%

Prev Prev Apr 15 5-Yr of last year's rice acreage.

Year Week 2018 Avg

ID 43 8 47 51

MI 1 0 1 4

MN 16 0 0 18

ND 10 0 0 12

4 Sts 17 1 9 20

These 4 States planted 84%

of last year's sugarbeet acreage.

Corn Percent Planted Cotton Percent Planted Sorghum Percent Planted

Oats Percent Planted Oats Percent Emerged

Rice Percent Planted

Rice Percent Emerged

Sugarbeets Percent Planted




Prev Prev Apr 15 5-Yr Prev Prev Apr 15 5-Yr

Year Week 2018 Avg VP P F G EX Year Week 2018 Avg

AR 86 21 32 26 AR 2 11 35 46 6 ID 27 11 24 49

CA 54 1 5 61 CA 0 0 5 25 70 MN 8 0 0 13

CO 0 0 0 0 CO 9 15 38 36 2 MT 7 0 0 12

ID 0 0 0 0 ID 1 1 44 40 14 ND 5 0 0 6

IL 3 3 3 1 IL 4 8 34 47 7 SD 48 0 1 34

IN 3 0 0 1 IN 1 7 33 49 10 WA 19 27 37 52

KS 8 0 0 3 KS 14 32 42 11 1 6 Sts 12 2 3 15

MI 0 0 0 0 MI 2 5 25 57 11 These 6 States planted 99%

MO 20 0 1 4 MO 3 9 41 42 5 of last year's spring wheat acreage.

MT 0 0 0 0 MT 1 9 25 50 15

NE 0 0 0 0 NE 1 6 38 43 12

NC 19 1 6 9 NC 0 4 24 63 9 Prev Prev Apr 15 5-Yr

OH 0 0 0 0 OH 1 3 26 59 11 Year Week 2018 Avg

OK 35 1 15 16 OK 33 32 27 7 1 ID 39 14 29 52

OR 0 0 0 0 OR 2 3 18 67 10 MN 4 0 0 8

SD 0 0 0 0 SD 2 18 53 27 0 MT 8 0 0 20

TX 49 17 40 32 TX 30 33 24 11 2 ND 2 0 0 3

WA 0 0 0 0 WA 0 2 19 63 16 WA 6 6 10 35

18 Sts 18 3 9 10 18 Sts 15 22 32 26 5 5 Sts 12 4 7 23

These 18 States planted 90% Prev Wk 14 21 35 26 4 These 5 States planted 80%

of last year's winter wheat acreage. Prev Yr 3 10 33 46 8 of last year's barley acreage.

Winter Wheat Percent Headed Winter Wheat Condition by

Barley Percent Planted

Spring Wheat Percent PlantedPercent

VP - Very Poor; P - Poor; F - Fair; G - Good; EX - Excellent

NA - Not Available; *Revised




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2[-1]

0[0]

1[0]

10[-10]

40[+11]

3[+3]

15[+5]

0[0]

4[0]

18[+2]

15[-1]

1[0]

7[+1]

44[+6]33

[-2]6

[+2]

37[0]

3[-1]

12[+6]

9[+4]

32[-5]

22[+7]

17[+7]

12[-10]

23[+6]

23[+2]

49[+9]

34[-6]

58[+8]

41[-5]

3[-1]

18[-20]

52[-20]

51[-3]

5[+3]

39[-13]

6[+4]

49[+24]

50[-12]

54[+16]

24[0]

28[-8]

24[+8]

29[+13]

25[-11]

95[-5]

48[-20]

Topsoil MoistureThis product was prepared by theUSDA Office of the Chief Economist (OCE)World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)

United StatesDepartment ofAgriculture

Data obtained from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly Crop Progressreports. These reports are available through http://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/.

Top ## - Percent Surplus

[Bottom ##] - Change from Last WeekSurplus

Change from Last Week

20

0

48 States

Percent SurplusWeek Ending - April 15, 2018

Percent90 - 10080 - 8970 - 7960 - 6950 - 5940 - 4930 - 3920 - 2910 - 19 0 - 9

66[+6]

13[+2]

25[+20]

91[-2]

12[-9]

15[-5]

61[-1]

20[-3]

18[+2]

1[-1]3

[+2]

72[+2]

19[0]

18[-1]

18[-6]

37[-4]

72[+6]

12[+2]

29[+10]

5[-7]

0[0]

0[0]

3[-1]

8[-1]

7[-8]

0[0]

4[+3]

4[-3]

6[+1]

0[-2]

2[0]

0[-1]

0[0]

2[+1]

0[-1]

1[-3]

23[+15]

12[-6]

28[-18]

5[+2]

0[0]

0[0]

9[+3]

1[+1]

3[+3]

0[0]

14[+10]

0[0]

Topsoil MoistureThis product was prepared by theUSDA Office of the Chief Economist (OCE)World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)


Percent Short to Very ShortWeek Ending - April 15, 2018


Top ## - Percent Short to Very Short

[Bottom ##] - Change from Last WeekShort to Very Short


23

0

48 States

Percent90 - 10080 - 8970 - 7960 - 6950 - 5940 - 4930 - 3920 - 2910 - 19 0 - 9




2[-1]

0[0]

10[-10]

20[+10]

3[+3]

0[0]

5[+5]

0[0]

0[-2]

2[0]

11[+7]

6[-5]

23[+4]22

[+3]

2[0]

2[+1]

2[+1]

2[+1]

7[-1]

7[+2]

19[-3]

11[+3]

11[+4]

29[+4]

19[+2]

19[+2]

41[+7]

50[+9]

44[-1]

45[-9]

1[-3]

15[-22]

52[-13]

10[+2]

2[+1]

35[-11]

6[+4]

42[+11]

42[+20]

45[+15]

0[0]

11[+2]

24[-5]

21[+13]

100[0]

20[-22]

50[-15]

0[0]

Subsoil MoistureThis product was prepared by theUSDA Office of the Chief Economist (OCE)World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)



Top ## - Percent Surplus

[Bottom ##] - Change from Last WeekSurplus


14

0

48 States

Percent SurplusWeek Ending - April 15, 2018

Percent90 - 10080 - 8970 - 7960 - 6950 - 5940 - 4930 - 3920 - 2910 - 19 0 - 9

62[+2]

85[0]

33[+8]

25[+15]

12[-9]

43[0] 56

[+9]

29[-4]

34[+1]

16[0]

15[-15]

3[-1]6

[-4]

70[-1]

25[-3]

37[-4]

15[0]

48[+1]

73[+5]

10[-6]

0[0]

23[-1]

8[-3]

0[0]

7[+3]

4[-2]

6[-2]

2[-1]

3[+3]

1[-1]

8[-10]

0[0]

1[+1]

0[-1]

4[-1]

20[+4]

4[+1]

14[-3]

27[-15]

3[+2]

0[0]

0[0]

0[0]

16[+7]

2[+1]

0[0]

10[+4]

0[0]

Subsoil MoistureThis product was prepared by theUSDA Office of the Chief Economist (OCE)World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)


Percent Short to Very ShortWeek Ending - April 15, 2018


Top ## - Percent Short to Very Short

[Bottom ##] - Change from Last WeekShort to Very Short


27

-1

48 States

Percent90 - 10080 - 8970 - 7960 - 6950 - 5940 - 4930 - 3920 - 2910 - 19 0 - 9


Figure 1: Area-averaged upper-ocean heat content anomaly (°C) in the equatorial Pacific (5°N-5°S, 180º-100ºW). The heat content anomaly is computed as the departure from the 1981-2010 base period pentad means.

ENSO Alert System Status: La Niña Advisory

Synopsis: La Niña is expected to transition to ENSO-neutral during April-May, with ENSO-neutral then likely (greater than 50% chance) to continue through the Northern Hemisphere summer 2018. During March 2018, La Niña continued to weaken, but was still reflected by below-average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) across the east-central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. The latest weekly index values were -0.5°C and -0.3°C in the Niño-3.4 and Niño-3 regions, respectively, -1.1°C in the Niño1+2 region, and near zero in the Niño-4 region. While negative anomalies were weakening near the surface, the sub-surface temperature anomalies (averaged across 180°-100°W) warmed (Fig. 1) due to the eastward propagation of a downwelling equatorial oceanic Kelvin wave. Convection was suppressed near and east of the Date Line and enhanced over the far western tropical Pacific Ocean. Low-level wind anomalies were easterly over the east-central Pacific, and westerly over the far western Pacific. At upper-levels, winds were anomalously westerly over the eastern Pacific. Overall, the ocean and atmosphere system remained consistent with a weak La Niña. Most models in the IRI/CPC plume predict La Niña will decay and return to ENSO-neutral during the current March-May season. The forecaster consensus similarly favors a transition to neutral, with a continuation of ENSO-neutral conditions through the summer 2018. Thereafter,

there is considerable forecast uncertainty, in part due to the lower prediction skill for forecasts made at this time of year. In summary, La Niña is expected to transition to ENSO-neutral during April-May, with ENSO-neutral then likely (greater than 50% chance) to continue through the Northern Hemisphere summer 2018 (click CPC/IRI consensus forecast for the chance of each outcome for each 3-month period). This discussion is a consolidated effort of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NOAA’s National Weather Service, and their funded institutions. Oceanic and atmospheric conditions are updated weekly on the Climate Prediction Center web site (El Niño/La Niña Current Conditions and Expert Discussions). Forecasts are also updated monthly in the Forecast Forum of CPC's Climate Diagnostics Bulletin. Additional perspectives and analysis are also available in an ENSO blog. The next ENSO Diagnostics Discussion is scheduled for 10 May 2018. To receive an e-mail notification when the monthly ENSO Diagnostic Discussions are released, please send an e-mail message to: [email protected].

April 12 ENSO Update


For additional information contact: [email protected]

International Weather and Crop Summary

April 8-14, 2018 International Weather and Crop Highlights and Summaries provided by USDA/WAOB

HIGHLIGHTS

EUROPE: Much warmer weather across most of Europe promoted winter crop development, though chilly, wet conditions lingered on the Iberian Peninsula. WESTERN FSU: Warm, sunny weather favored winter wheat development after a cold March. MIDDLE EAST: Showers maintained favorable soil moisture for winter grains approaching or progressing through reproduction two to three weeks ahead of average. NORTHWESTERN AFRICA: Increasingly heavy showers boosted moisture supplies for reproductive to filling wheat and barley. EASTERN ASIA: Unseasonably warm weather continued to advance winter crops at a rapid pace, while showers maintained good soil moisture.

SOUTHEAST ASIA: Showers maintained good late-season moisture conditions for rice in Indonesia, as field preparations were underway in Thailand and the rest of Indochina in advance of the wet season. AUSTRALIA: Mostly dry, unseasonably warm weather allowed summer crop harvesting to proceed without delay. SOUTH AFRICA: Showers gave a late boost in moisture for corn and sugarcane. ARGENTINA: Unseasonably heavy rain continued in parts of central Argentina. BRAZIL: Beneficial rain maintained favorable corn and cotton prospects. MEXICO: Showers developed over eastern farming areas.

Heavy Rain

Much Warmer (Europe)

Scattered Showers

Unseasonably Warm & Dry

Locally Heavy Showers

(C Argentina)

Warm

Heavy Showers

Showers

Showers for Rice (Indonesia)

Warm & Sunny (Western FSU)

Showers (E Mexico)



Notably warmer weather accelerated crop development over most of the continent, though chilly, wet conditions lingered on the Iberian Peninsula. After a pronounced cold spell during the latter half of March, rapidly rising temperatures (3-10°C above normal) from France and Germany into eastern Europe eased lingering developmental delays; winter crops — which had been developing two to three weeks behind average — are now running 7 to 10 days behind average (per growing degree day data) over northern and eastern Europe. Soil moisture remained favorable, with additional light to moderate showers (5-30 mm, locally more) sustaining adequate to abundant moisture supplies over most growing areas. However, drier weather in the lower Danube River Valley was welcomed

following locally excessive precipitation over the past 60 days (200-300 percent of normal). On the Iberian Peninsula, where producers would welcome a respite from persistent wetness, a slow-moving storm brought chilly temperatures (up to 5°C below normal) and heavy rain (25-100 mm, locally more). Although winter grain prospects in Spain and Portugal are currently good to excellent, crops would benefit from sunny weather as they progress through reproduction into the grain fill stages of development. Rain from this slow-moving storm also spread across southern France (20-100 mm) as well as western and northern Italy (5-75 mm), maintaining favorable winter grain prospects while boosting irrigation reserves for warm-season crops.

EUROPE



Warm weather promoted winter crop development after a protracted early-spring cold spell. Temperatures during the 7-day period averaged 3 to 8°C above normal in Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, and southwestern Russia, accelerating the development of wheat, barley, and rapeseed. The warmth was especially welcomed following a very cold March; current crop

developmental delays ranged from 7 to 10 days (per growing degree day data) in Ukraine to nearly three weeks in west-central Russia (southern Central District and environs). Conversely, delays in key wheat-producing regions in southwestern Russia are minimal due to milder conditions during March.

WESTERN FSU



Mild conditions continued, though timely showers maintained favorable prospects for winter grains approaching or at reproduction. Temperatures up to 5°C above normal from Turkey into northwestern Iran promoted faster-than-normal crop development. Growing degree day data indicated winter wheat was approaching or at the heading stage of development in central Turkey and western Iran up to three weeks ahead of average.

Winter crops in the climatologically warmer central and southern growing areas were at or beyond reproduction. Widespread albeit highly variable showers (2-50 mm, locally more) sustained moisture supplies for winter grain development from central Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean Coast into Iraq and central Iran. Overall, current prospects for winter grains are good to excellent over most of the region.

MIDDLE EAST



After last week’s timely sunny weather, showers returned and intensified during the period. Rainfall totaled more than 10 mm over the region’s primary winter grain areas, with amounts topping 50 mm (locally more than 100 mm) in northern Morocco as well as western and central

portions of northern Algeria. The rain sustained good to excellent prospects for reproductive (central and east) to filling (west) winter grains, though crop stages may be delayed in western locales where severe autumn drought delayed planting.

NORTHWESTERN AFRICA



Warmer-than-normal weather (temperatures up to 5°C above normal) continued across eastern China, promoting rapid development of reproductive wheat and rapeseed as well as vegetative spring rice in the south. Along with a rapid pace of development, the warmth increased moisture demands, particularly for winter crops. Wheat areas of southern Hebei, Henan, and other western sections of the North China Plain received 10 to over 25 mm of rain, maintaining good soil

moisture, but eastern areas were drier and required supplemental irrigation. Similar rainfall amounts were reported in Hubei and surrounding provinces as well, benefiting rapeseed. Showers were lighter than normal (less than 25 mm), though, in southern rice areas, where spring totals have consistently been below normal and well below last year. Meanwhile in western China, cotton planting was underway in seasonally warmer areas and will advance in other areas as temperatures allow.

EASTERN ASIA



Rainfall was somewhat lighter across Indonesia, with most areas receiving less than 50 mm (locally more in Kalimantan) but still maintaining favorable late-season moisture conditions for wet-season rice. In contrast, western oil palm areas in Indonesia and Malaysia would benefit from more rainfall, as most areas are experiencing 3-month moisture deficits. In the Philippines,

showers (25-100 mm) were reported throughout the eastern-most regions, maintaining abundant soil moisture and irrigation supplies for spring rice and corn. Meanwhile, seasonably hot weather (temperature surpassing 35°C) continued in Thailand and environs as field preparations were underway in advance of the wet season in May.

SOUTHEAST ASIA



In southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, mostly dry, unseasonably warm weather favored drydown of maturing summer crops and allowed cotton and sorghum harvesting to proceed without delay. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2°C above normal, with maximum temperatures mostly in the 20s and lower 30s degrees C. Isolated showers at week’s end provided little additional topsoil moisture in advance of

wheat and other winter crop planting. More rain would be welcome in not only southern Queensland and northern New South Wales, but in southern and eastern Australia as well, to help condition soils prior to sowing. The bulk of the winter grains and oilseeds are typically planted during May and June, however, leaving plenty of time for more significant rains to overspread the wheat belt.

AUSTRALIA



Unseasonably heavy rain lingered over several regions, providing a late-season boost in moisture for immature summer crops while increasing long-term moisture reserves. Moderate to heavy rainfall (10-50 mm) in western sections of the corn belt (North West and Free State, including commercial white corn areas) sustained favorable levels of moisture for later-planted summer crops still in filling stages of development. Lighter rain (less than 10 mm) favored maturing summer crops in eastern sections of the corn belt (southwestern Mpumalanga and environs), and late-summer warmth (daytime highs reaching the lower 30s degrees C in

spots) fostered rapid crop growth region-wide. Elsewhere, warm, showery weather (rainfall totaling 10-25 mm or more, with temperatures similar to those recorded in the corn belt) covered sugarcane areas of KwaZulu-Natal and eastern Mpumalanga, supporting sugar development but hampering any early harvest efforts. Meanwhile, unseasonable wetness (rainfall totaling 25 to more than 75 mm) increased irrigation reserves in major farming areas of Northern Cape and Eastern Cape, but drier conditions prevailed in Western Cape, where farmers await the seasonal onset of winter rainfall.

SOUTH AFRICA



For a second week, locally heavy showers brought some drought relief to high-yielding farming areas of central Argentina. Rainfall totaled more than 25 mm throughout much of Buenos Aires, with amounts totaling 50 to 100 mm in central and southeastern agricultural districts. Lighter rain (5-40 mm) fell in La Pampa, Cordoba, and southern production areas of Santa Fe and Entre Rios. While further improving long-term moisture reserves for the upcoming winter grain season, the rainfall generally came too late to significantly improve prospects of most corn and soybeans. In addition, unseasonable warmth (weekly temperatures averaging 2-4°C above normal, with daytime highs reaching the lower 30s degrees C) in western and northern parts of the region.

Despite the overall warmth, however, nighttime lows dropped to near 0°C in parts of central Buenos Aires, resulting in patches of frost. Farther north, rain (10-50 mm, locally higher), also continued over Santiago del Estero and Salta, extending into northern sections of Santa Fe, increasing moisture for later-planted, immature corn and soybeans. In contrast, drier conditions developed over eastern Chaco, favoring maturing cotton. Sunflower harvesting advanced 10 points during the week ending April 12 to 92 percent complete (94 percent last year), as reported by Argentina’s ministry of agriculture. Soybean and corn harvesting reached 28 and 31 percent complete, respectively, ahead of last year’s pace for both crops.

ARGENTINA



Widespread, locally heavy showers maintained favorable prospects of second-crop corn and cotton in key northern production areas. Rainfall totaling more than 50 mm — locally exceeding 100 mm — stretched from northern Brazil to the northeastern coast, including farming areas of Tocantins and Maranhao. Rainfall totaled more than 25 mm (near to above normal for this time of year) in nearby areas of Piaui, Bahia, and Goias. Recent weeks of above-normal rainfall in the northeastern interior have resulted in some locations reaching the normal monthly total by the middle part of the month. In

contrast to the northern wetness, mostly dry, generally warm weather (weekly temperatures averaging 1-4°C above normal, with daytime highs reaching the middle 30s degrees C as far south as Rio Grande do Sul) dominated most southern farming areas (Mato Grosso do Sul and southern Minas Gerais southward), hastening development of secondary summer crops and maturation of late-planted summer row crops. However, additional rain would have been welcomed in Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais for sugarcane and coffee, to offset the recent trend of below-normal rainfall.

BRAZIL



Beneficial rain boosted moisture reserves in states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, but little has fallen so far in rain-fed corn areas of the southern plateau. The heaviest rainfall (greater than 50 mm) was concentrated over Veracruz and Tabasco. In the northeast (Tamaulipas and neighboring locations in Nuevo Leon), timely showers (greater than 10 mm) increased moisture for rain-fed winter sorghum. Farther south, however, consistent rainfall had yet to develop across the southern plateau (Puebla

westward), where farmers awaited the onset of seasonal rainfall to plant corn and other rain-fed crops. Meanwhile, seasonable dryness, accompanied by warmer-than-normal weather (weekly temperatures averaging 2-4°C above normal, with daytime highs frequently reaching the lower and middle 30s degrees C) fostered rapid development of irrigated wheat and corn in the northwest (notably Sonora, Chihuahua, and Sinaloa).

MEXICO



March International Temperature and Precipitation Maps

EUROPE

During March, colder-than-normal weather over much of Europe kept winter crops dormant in the east and slowed wheat and rapeseed development in the climatologically-warmer western growing areas. The cold spell was most pronounced during the latter half of the month, when growing degree data indicted crop development was at a virtual standstill across the eastern half of the continent. Meanwhile, heavy to excessive

rainfall over southern Europe saturated fields but maintained abundant moisture supplies for vegetative to reproductive winter grains in Spain and Italy; precipitation during March was more than four times normal (locally more than 800 percent of normal) on the Iberian Peninsula. Similarly, precipitation totaled 200 to 300 percent of normal in the Balkans, boosting moisture reserves for spring growth.



WESTERN FSU

Cold weather delayed winter wheat green up across much of the region, though crops broke dormancy in areas adjacent to the Black Sea Coast. Temperatures during March averaged 2 to 6°C below normal over much of the region, keeping many areas covered in snow and delaying winter

crop green up. However, locales near the Black Sea Coast averaged 1 to 4°C above normal, encouraging wheat to break dormancy on par with normal. Moisture reserves are abundant for spring growth across the region due to a wet and snowy winter.



EASTERN FSU

Seasonably cold weather prevailed in the north, while warm, wet conditions developed across southern portions of the region. During March, agricultural activity in spring wheat areas of central Russia and northern Kazakhstan was minimal due to late-season cold (1-4°C below normal) and lingering snow cover. In fact, much of the spring wheat belt remained

under a shallow to moderate snowpack as of April 15. Meanwhile, summer-like warmth (upper 20s to lower 30s, degrees C) hastened winter wheat out of dormancy and into the vegetative stages of development in Uzbekistan, though rain and mountain snow (25-100 mm liquid equivalent, locally more) provided beneficial moisture.



MIDDLE EAST

In March, much-warmer-than-normal weather accelerated winter grains out of dormancy in the north and hastened crops toward reproduction in the south. Temperatures for the month averaged 3 to 7°C above normal, with summer-like heat (35-

41°C) reported in southern portions of the region. Nevertheless, crop prospects remained good overall due to heavy February rainfall as well as a continuation of precipitation (85-225 percent of normal) into March from Turkey into northwestern Iran.



NORTHWESTERN AFRICA

Widespread heavy rainfall during March continued the pronounced recovery from autumn drought in Morocco and sustained good to excellent conditions elsewhere. Rainfall in Morocco tallied 30 to 100 mm in southwestern growing areas, while amounts topped 300 mm (400-800 percent of normal) in northern portions of

the country. Current wheat and barley yield prospects in Morocco are excellent, though autumn drought may have impacted winter grain planting acreage. Similarly, beneficial rain (60-200 mm) was reported across Algeria and Tunisia’s primary winter grain areas, maintaining good to excellent crop prospects.



SOUTH ASIA

During March, India was seasonably dry for the most part, although some eastern and far southern states reported occasional rainfall (10-50 mm or more). In addition, seasonal heat began to build across the country, with northwestern sections experiencing hotter-than-normal (temperatures averaging 3-4°C above normal) conditions that extended into Pakistan. Wheat, rapeseed, and other winter (rabi) crops were in the latter reproductive stages and likely beginning to mature by

the end of the month, spurred on by the hot weather. In other parts of the region, unusually heavy showers in Bangladesh (25-100 mm, nearly 200 percent of normal in some areas) boosted water supplies for winter (boro) and spring (aus) rice, as the end of the dry season approached. Meanwhile, heavy showers (over 100 mm) in key rice areas of southeastern Sri Lanka slowed winter (maha) rice harvesting but drier conditions to the north promoted harvest activities.



EASTERN ASIA

March rainfall was mainly confined to the seasonally wetter southeastern quarter of China, where amounts varied between 25 to over 100 mm. Totals were below average in southern provinces but above average within the Yangtze Valley and onto southern sections of the

North China Plain. The wet weather was particularly welcome for winter crops, as unseasonable warmth (temperatures 4°C above normal) increased moisture demands. In contrast, more rainfall would be welcomed for vegetative spring rice in the south.



SOUTHEAST ASIA

Rainfall was above normal in March across key rice and oil palm areas of Indonesia. Totals were well in excess of 150 mm, maintaining good late-season moisture for rice and mid-season moisture for oil palm. In contrast, more rainfall would be welcomed for oil palm in western Malaysia where short-term dryness was developing. Meanwhile in the Philippines,

persistent showers in the east (over 100 mm for the month, 100-150 percent of normal) maintained abundant soil moisture for spring rice. Elsewhere in the region, unseasonably wet weather (25-100 mm of rain) in Thailand and environs provided a boost to irrigation supplies well in advance of wet-season sowing, as dry-season harvesting was underway.



AUSTRALIA

During March, unseasonably warm, drier-than-normal weather prevailed across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. The heat and dryness favored many summer crops, aiding maturation and harvesting of cotton and sorghum while helping to maintain crop

quality. The hot, relatively dry weather was unfavorable for some summer crops; specifically crops sown later in the planting window. These crops had yet to reach maturation, and thus may have suffered some reductions in yield potential.



SOUTH AFRICA

During March, near- to above-normal rainfall maintained generally favorable prospects for late-reproductive to filling corn in the main eastern commercial production areas. Rain occurred throughout the month, but the heaviest amounts (weekly totals in excess of 50 mm) occurred during the middle part of the month. In western production areas (North West and central Free State), the moisture was timely for traditionally later-planted crops that had recently advanced through reproduction. Monthly temperatures averaged up to 2°C above normal in the corn belt — with

daytime highs reaching the lower and middle 30s degrees C on numerous days — though a seasonal decline in temperatures resulted in somewhat cooler conditions during the latter half of the month. Elsewhere, intermittent showers gave a late-season boost to sugarcane in key farming areas of KwaZulu-Natal and eastern Mpumalanga. Rain also boosted irrigation reserves for summer row crops in Northern and Eastern Cape but showers remained scattered and light in Western Cape, offering little relief from long-term drought.



ARGENTINA

Throughout March, intensifying drought maintained stress on summer grains and oilseeds in high-yielding farming areas of central Argentina. Western production areas (notably La Pampa and Cordoba) recorded less than 25 mm over the entire month, and nearly all other areas received less than 50 mm, the exception being eastern farming areas of Buenos Aires. Monthly temperatures averaged near normal but varied greatly, with daytime highs reaching the lower and middle 30s (degrees C) on a weekly basis. Several cooling trends resulted in

nighttime lows falling below 5°C in southern Buenos Aires, possibly resulting in some localized frost. Elsewhere, below-normal rainfall, accompanied by above-normal temperatures (daytime highs commonly reaching the middle 30s), prevailed in northwestern farming areas (Santiago del Estero northward), limiting moisture for development of later-planted corn and soybeans. In contrast, frequent, occasionally heavy rain benefited late-developing summer crops in the northeast (Corrientes and environs), including cotton.



BRAZIL

Widespread, locally heavy rainfall maintained overall favorable prospects for immature summer crops throughout the month of March. The highest monthly totals (greater than 200 mm, with several locations recording more than 400 mm) were concentrated from central and northern Mato Grosso to the northeastern interior (Tocantins and nearby locations in Bahia, Piaui, and Maranhao), benefiting cotton and providing ample moisture for establishment and vegetative development of second-crop corn. The rainfall was evenly distributed through March but a surge of above-normal rainfall occurred during the

latter part of the month. Similar amounts were recorded over Parana and Santa Catarina, improving moisture for second-crop corn in those areas as well but likely disrupting the final stages of harvesting soybeans and first-crop corn. Rain, interspersed with periods of warmth and sunshine, favored development of later-planted soybeans in Rio Grande do Sul. Periodic dryness also occurred from Mato Grosso do Sul eastward to Minas Gerais, favoring maturing corn and soybeans but reducing moisture in spots for developing sugarcane and coffee.



MEXICO

During March, rainfall was mostly confined to states along the Gulf Coast. The heaviest rainfall (monthly accumulations of 50 mm or more) was recorded from Veracruz to Chiapas, increasing reservoir levels for specialty crops and fruit — including citrus — but likely disrupting harvesting in areas recording the highest amounts. Farther north, sporadic, generally light showers boosted moisture for rain-fed winter

sorghum, though amounts were generally below normal. Meanwhile, mostly dry, sunny weather — accompanied by above-normal temperatures — spurred rapid growth of winter grains in the northwest, including corn areas of Sinaloa. According to the government of Mexico, northwestern reservoir levels were at 41 percent capacity, about 17 points below last year’s levels.



CANADIAN PRAIRIES

In March, above-normal precipitation maintained a relatively deep snowpack across most of the Prairies, offering protection to overwintering wheat and pastures from occasional outbreaks of bitter cold. Snow cover was patchy and light in southern sections of Saskatchewan and Manitoba as the month began, and nighttime lows reaching -20°C raised concern for potential damage. However, the cold spell was short

lived and followed by several days of heavy snow (25 cm or more in some locations), resulting in a deep snowpack Prairie-wide. Several other rounds of snow maintained the coverage for most of the remainder of March until a warming trend eroded the snowpack toward month’s end. Nighttime lows fell below -20°C on March 29, 30, and 31; accompanied by only light snow, the cold renewed concern for overwintering crops in some southern farming areas.



SOUTHEASTERN CANADA

Conditions remained overall favorable for overwintering crops throughout the month of March. In Ontario, monthly temperatures averaged within 1°C of normal but were highly variable, trending below normal during the first half of the month before the occurrence of seasonal warming. In the province’s southern agricultural district, snow cover was patchy and light on the coldest days but nighttime lows generally stayed above the threshold for damage to overwintering wheat, reaching below -10°C on just a few evenings. Farther east, temperatures were lower (falling below

-20°C in some locations) during an arctic outbreak that began on March 17 and lasted several days; however, snow cover in the affected areas (eastern-most Ontario and southern Quebec) were sufficiently protected by an estimated 20 cm or more of snow. At month’s end, seasonal warming, accompanied by periods of moderate rain (daily rainfall totaling 5-10 mm or more) eroded the protective snow cover in the more southerly agricultural districts in Ontario and Quebec, although average temperatures were still well below the threshold for breaking dormancy.

Kansas Colorado

Texas Oklahoma New Mexico

GOES-16 Visible April 12, 2018 5:52 pm CDT

The Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin (ISSN 0043-1974) is jointly prepared by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Publication began in 1872 as the Weekly Weather Chronicle. It is issued under general authority of the Act of January 12, 1895 (44-USC 213), 53rd Congress, 3rd Session. The contents may be redistributed freely with proper credit. Correspondence to the meteorologists should be directed to: Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, NOAA/USDA, Joint Agricultural Weather Facility, USDA South Building, Room 4443B, Washington, DC 20250. Internet URL: http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather E-mail address: [email protected] The Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin and archives are maintained on the following USDA Internet URL: http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather/pubs/Weekly/Wwcb/index.htm

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE World Agricultural Outlook Board Managing Editor.......................... Brad Rippey (202) 720-2397 Production Editor........................ Brian Morris (202) 720-3062 International Editor.................. Mark Brusberg (202) 720-2012 Agricultural Weather Analysts......................... Harlan Shannon

and Eric Luebehusen National Agricultural Statistics Service Agricultural Statistician and State Summaries Editor…..…..……. Joshua O’Rear (202) 720-7621

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service/Climate Prediction Center Meteorologists...... David Miskus, Brad Pugh, Adam Allgood,

and Rich Tinker

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-Free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

Just before sunset on April 12, smoke from several wildfires is visible across the southern High Plains, with the greatest concentration of fires apparent in western Oklahoma. The largest incident, the Rhea fire in Dewey County, OK, scorched nearly one-quarter million acres of grass and brush by mid-April.

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